The Toronto Blue Jays will face the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series without star shortstop Bo Bichette. Bichette has been sidelined due to a knee sprain sustained during a game against the Yankees on September 6. His absence comes as a significant blow to the team, considering he was a top performer throughout the season, leading Major League Baseball with 181 hits in 139 games.
Bo Bichette’s Impressive Season Cut Short
In his 2023 season, Bichette achieved a batting average of .311, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 94 runs. Despite missing the final three weeks of the season, he finished tied for second in hits, highlighting his importance to the team.
Manager’s Statement on Bichette’s Status
Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed that the decision regarding Bichette’s participation was “coming down to the wire.” The team will need to strategize effectively in his absence as they open their best-of-five series at home on Saturday.
Missing Key Pitchers
Alongside Bichette, the Blue Jays also excluded veteran pitcher Max Scherzer from their 26-man roster for the series. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, has struggled recently, recording a 9.00 ERA in his last six starts, including a loss to the Yankees on September 7.
- Max Scherzer: 1-3 record, 9.00 ERA in last six starts.
- Chris Bassitt: Led team in wins but sidelined since September 18 due to lower back inflammation.
Scherzer’s Injury History
Scherzer missed a substantial portion of the season due to right thumb inflammation, not pitching between March 29 and June 25. He holds a career record of 221-117 with a 3.22 ERA and has previously won World Series titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023.
Blue Jays’ Roster for the Series
The team has opted for a roster that includes 13 pitchers, with Kevin Gausman slated to start Game 1. This series presents a critical opportunity for the Blue Jays as they aim to secure their first postseason victory since 2016. The team previously experienced three consecutive wild-card series sweeps from 2020 to 2023.
The absence of key players like Bichette and Scherzer puts added pressure on the remaining roster as they take on the Yankees.
